The University has adopted this Excavation Policy in order to protect people, property, and underground utility services providing energy and other services to University facilities. Additionally, the policy assures the fulfillment of requirements of the Code of Virginia Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act, and other local codes .

Policy Summary:

The University of Virginia prohibits any excavation on University property without prior investigation and approval.

Definition of Terms in Statement:

Excavation: Any activity where the ground is penetrated (6 inches or more) or soil is moved, removed, or compacted, including but not limited to trenching, driving, scooping, tunneling, and any hand or machine digging operations.

Policy Statement:

Any excavations on the Grounds must be approved in advance by Facilities Management. Because most University utilities are located underground, digging can damage buried utilities and result in serious safety hazards to workers, damage to utilities and property, and service interruptions.

Procedures:

All excavations, including any hand digging, require an approved excavation permit before any excavation is started. Facilities Management Directive 740 provides procedures, guidance, and directions for obtaining an approved excavation permit.